Have you ever encountered people who think they are right but they are wrong? They stick to what they believe, perceive it as being right, and have no intentions of backing down. You could go out of your way to present the evidence to them that they are in the wrong, but they still won’t budge. On the other hand, maybe you’re one of these people. You may feel what you’re doing or saying is right, but you’re not close to heading in the right direction. Where will this road lead you if you choose to stay on it? What will take to redirect you or the other person’s course of feeling, opinion, or actions?
In Acts 9:1-19, Luke tells the story of a young Pharisee named Saul. Saul was a self-righteous, Jewish Rabbi who made it his personal mission to persecute and imprisoned anybody who was- at this particular moment in time- a follower of the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ. He even went to the extent of assisting with the murder of a genuine, godly disciple named Stephen (Acts 7:54-60; 8:1), and had no remorse after this terrible act was committed. But even though Saul was operating in the state he was in, God still had plans to use him in a mighty way.
After Stephen’s death, Saul was still determined to destroy everyone who was a believer of Christ. He put fear in the hearts of those who choose to believe in the risen Savior. Carrying himself in this manner convinced Saul to believe that he had power and that no one could stop him. This resulted in the homes of these believers being raided, being forced to go to prison, and receiving death as their final punishment. Because of this, believers fled Jerusalem and went to other regions to get away from Saul’s persecution.
Saul took it a step further by going to the high priest to get letters to take to the synagogues in Damascus. These letters granted him permission to have any of Christ’s followers that were in Damascus arrested and brought back to Jerusalem, and the high priest approved his request without hesitation. Saul left with the letters for Damascus with the intent of persecuting the lives of more Christians but little did he know, this was about to be a journey he would never forget.
While heading to Damascus, out of nowhere, a light that was brighter than daylight appeared, surrounded Saul and caused him to fall to the ground. Saul then heard a voice from heaven question him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” In a complete state of shock, Saul questioned the voice he heard, and the response was, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Jesus told Saul to get up, go to the city, and wait for further instructions. The light from the vision Saul saw was so bright, it blinded him so the men who were with him had to lead him by the hand to Damascus.
Upon arriving to Damascus, Saul fasted and prayed for three days. But, while in Damascus, the Lord sent a disciple named Ananias to relay a message to Saul based off a prophecy Jesus spoke to him in a vision about Saul in which He said, “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15-KJV).” Out of obedience, Ananias went to Saul. Ananias prophesied to Saul, laid hands on him, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Saul’s sight was restored and he was baptized. Immediately following this miracle, Saul went from being a persecutor of those who followed Jesus to preaching to his fellow Jews that Jesus is “the Son of God” and becoming Apostle Paul.
Paul’s conversion was both scary and amazing. His experience led him to do great things for the Father as well as suffer greatly for His kingdom. You have a man who was convinced in his heart that he was “doing God’s work.” He had reasons to believe that Jesus was not the Messiah so much to the point it made his heart callus towards those who did because of what he felt was right. But even in the condition that he was operating in, Jesus still had plans to use him as a vessel to draw others to Him.
So many people- who have received Christ- have their “Road to Recovery” experience. It may have been as hard-hitting and dramatic as Paul’s experience. It may have happened after someone ministered to you. It may have taken a life-changing event for you to receive Jesus in your heart. The way you were led to Christ may vary, but all that matters is that you are on a path that leads directly to the Father’s heart.
My prayer is that just like Paul, the Father’s grace and mercy will cause you to fall down so that you can be lifted up and surrounded in the light of Jesus. That Christ will be made known to you in a great way so that you can realize how much He loves you. That those who are lost will be guided towards the wholehearted submission of the Savior. And, just as God changed Paul’s name, He will change the hearts of those who need His Son the most so that the road to recovery can begin for them as well in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
